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Drought Assistance From USDA: CRP Haying and Grazing
As this year’s drought intensifies, folks are quickly running short of forage. Due to the D2 Drought Monitor classification, most South Dakota counties qualify for Conservation Reserve Program haying and grazing for emergency and non-emergency use.
Forage Inventory and Demand Calculator
Calculator for inventorying livestock and forage on hand to determine additional forage purchase needs, or livestock sales.
Be Careful Grazing the Green this Fall
With fall grazing on the horizon, nearly all of South Dakota is still experiencing drought conditions. Regardless of where your ranch is located, a rancher must be very careful when grazing the fall green-up of cool-season grasses.
Opportunities for Swath Grazing in South Dakota
Fact sheet on the opportunities for Swath Grazing in South Dakota
Range Roundup: Precision Technology to Measure Cattle Methane Emissions and Intake on Western S.D. Rangelands
In a recent research project, our precision livestock team deployed technology to measure individual cattle methane emissions and feed intake by disappearance. Learn how this data can be used to help improve day-to-day management decisions on the ranch.
Pet Food & Pet Treats
In South Dakota the Department of Agriculture Feed & Animal Remedy Program is the agency that oversees the manufacturing, licensing and labeling of animal feeds and remedies. Local foods producers interested in selling pet foods or pet treats need to be in compliance with this program.
Nitrates and Livestock Water Quality
Nitrate poisoning is something we think about with forages such as millet, oats, corn, sorghum, sudan, kochia and others that have been fertilized or if there is a drought, but water can also be a contributing factor.
Haying With Wildlife in Mind
Anyone who has spent time cutting hay knows that hayland can be a magnet for wildlife in late spring and early summer. Hay fields are often considered an “ecological trap” for wildlife; that is, they appear to be high quality habitat for nesting or feeding due to tall, dense grass and legumes, but often lead to increased mortality once harvesting is under way.
Move the Cows or Move the Feed
This calculator is designed to aid producers making the decision to buy feedstuffs and haul the feed to the operation, or to haul the cattle to the feedstuffs.
Feed Nutrient Comparison Calculator
This comparison calculator is designed to assist producers with supplemental feed purchasing decisions for their operation.